The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-10-14
A MYSTERIOUS RING.
6Gs-a', II. .-SaUtit'l TSrs:'tass-TI.c 5-ur.
der CT "a Ia'iIer -lversoN-

I was in India when the terrible news
reached mo that nay father hal b,.-u
found cruelty murdered In his bed Who
had committed the crime was not known.
but | rc@istar,i = solemn cath thai NIGHT
III my tent that when | arrived in Eng
land | would devote my life 10 hunting
the murderer down. | had parted fron,
my father in anger over soln. tIitiiu1
thing, and | bitterly regretted now thai |
had not begged his forgiven. -
/ arrived ut AVondalc Castle To- find
myself di>inheritcd ard in favor oi INV
cuunSin Marian, beautiful Marian. whom
my father always wanted me 10 marry.
and the Immediate cause OF many OF oIir
quarrcls.
Marian, after my fathers death. had
moved away to London and married the
Earl OF Arilcigh, 80 ! learned from the
old houselcepcr Mr.. Drummer.
As | was going To- bed on the evening
OF my arrival Mrs. Brimmcr approached
me and said very mystrTiou>ly:
Iii YOU please, sir, found This thc day
after tine dear masters death IN a closet
off his room, aud she handed me a rina,
OF twisted gold wire. 1t Was CLOSE. bv
the bl"ud-sjained hammer" added the
old Lady. a. she went out Of the room bid
ding me good night.
! looked at ia" ring and sluddcrai.
Where had | seen il before ? Nv mind
went back 10 the DAYS when | had iiI~t
returned from college. II seemed | re-
mcmbcrcd face that loved me: that |
remembered a hand white and dimplcd
that had worn such ring. All al once
the startling truth burst upon me II
was Mariau's,
The very next evening found me 1t
the Earl Of Arileighs mansion.
Ny dress was diSOrdcred. NV face pale
and hagga. !, and the powdered footi.Ian
regarded me with grave distrust | gave
him 10 time for reflection, but ordered
him peremptOrily to announce her lady
ship cousin from India.
In 4 few minutes her French maid.
with slInp-r bowed me into the bou-
DOR, and in this temple of luxury [
awaited an interview. Ii was hung with
pink silk and pancled with mirrors. The
rarest Statuary and gems uf art met NV
eye, while the warm breath of flowers
from an adjoining conservatory, and the
splash Of falling waters, lullCd my SENSES
into I momentary rcpuse.
i started uP spaSmodically, and stood
A. one IN u delicious dream. for before me
tr;nsccndently beautiful, stood my cousin
Marian.
trembIed rs she touched nv hand,
and / lelt the glitter of her decp-blue
eyes, dazzling in light, fixed upon me.
Ny Nuf-y sounded strange and husky
aS l murmured something IN reply To-
her greeting
Marian - I screamed, as I seized her
round, white arm, did You nurdcr my
father ~
Her hlue eyes iiIated with a kind Of
paralyzcd terror, her lips paIcd. and she
burst into a strange and horrible laugh.
Have yOu returned u maniac, Cousin
Edward - she said
No, nO-Would to God 7 hal. Marian
But your maid, HonoIine, has been al
rested for passing notes stolen the night
my father died. She has confessed she
took them from your cabinet
The countess trcmbled.
And II She did -
held up the twisted ring before hex
.where was. this found, Marian ?'' :
said.
A deep gasp, n groan, and Marian
f.grted Tor the first time in her life.
Unwilling to call the servants, I re-
stored her senses by some puu-cEt cs-
-senccs 1 found in bottle near me.
at Is true, Edward" she said, family +;
q did commit the deed. l hated you
more because loved ysu once. Leave
me tonight; tomorrow do what you
Will"
The roll of carriages announced the ar
rival OF guests, and / left.
After | LEFT that luxurious room and
thought of the change TO Newgate l shud-
dered. Could she realize the fearful tate
before her?
She never lived TO pay the penalty Of
her crime. The next day all London
was startled with the news that the Coun-
tess OF Ardleigh had been found dead in
her boudoir. 4 bottle OF urussic acid
told the story OF her suicide.